Pakistan

Customs seizes narcotics, arms at Torkham border

Smuggling bid foiled; crystal meth, ammunition, and concealed goods worth Rs8,486,500 seized

Abuzar Afridi December 23, 2023

Confiscated items include 1,500 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine and a cache of 230 cartridges, arranged in eight magazines. PHOTO: EXPRESS

TORKHAM:

In a successful operation on the night of December 22, Customs Appraisement officials at the Import Terminal in Torkham intercepted a smuggling attempt, preventing illegal goods from entering the country.

Acting on credible information provided by Amjadur Rehman, Collector Customs (Appraisement), Peshawar, the team, under the leadership of Deputy Collector Hammad Ahmed, executed a well-coordinated operation resulting in the substantial seizure of contraband items.

The confiscated items included 1,500 grams of the highly potent narcotic substance known as Ice (Crystal Methamphetamine). The illegal substance, concealed in a plastic box weighing 250 grams, holds an approximate street value of Rs2,250,000.

Additionally, the customs team uncovered a cache of 230 cartridges, arranged in eight magazines designed for Kalashnikov rifles. The recovered ammunition is valued at Rs97,500.

These illicit goods were discreetly hidden within the Battery Tool Box of a Mercedez Trailer (22 wheeler) registered under KBL-34472, ostensibly loaded with soapstone. The concealment tactic was designed to evade routine inspections.

Further investigation revealed 20 packets of Instant Yeast, each weighing 500 grams, with a seized value of Rs4,000.

The combined value of the seized goods, including the narcotics, ammunition, Instant Yeast, and the vehicle itself, amounts to an estimated Rs8,486,500.

The swift action by the customs team led to the apprehension of the driver, identified as Jalal Khan Mohmand, a resident of Afghanistan and son of Mehboob Khan.

Subsequent to the arrest, an FIR (First Information Report) bearing number 29/2023 dated 22.12.2023 has been filed against the accused driver.

Ongoing investigations aim to unravel the network behind this smuggling attempt, with a focus on dismantling the infrastructure supporting such criminal enterprises.